Jackson, St. Mary’s top Santa Clara in WCC opener

Updated 4:58 pm, Saturday, December 27, 2014

Forward Garrett Jackson, who had scored all of five points combined in St. Mary’s previous six games, helped propel the Gaels to a 73-60 victory over Santa Clara in a WCC opener at McKeon Pavilion on Saturday.

A 6-foot-7 senior who spent his first two college seasons at USC, Jackson poured in a career-high 18 points as the Gaels (8-3) took control of the game in the second half.

Jackson had gone scoreless in five of those past six games, but he kept himself prepared.

“Even when personal things aren’t necessarily going the way you envision,” Jackson said, “I’m still excited to come to practice, be around the guys and do whatever I can to help the team win.”

His previous career high had been 16. He surpassed that in emphatic fashion with a steal and breakaway slam that gave the Gaels’ their biggest lead of the game, 64-45, with 6:50 remaining.

The Broncos played only two upperclassmen (seniors Denzel Johnson and Clark) and don’t have much height.

“This team is limited enough as it is with all the deficiencies,” Keating said. “We have to make sure we have the ball. Turning it over against a team that’s not trapping you or really pressuring you, that’s discouraging.”

On the other hand, the Gaels took heart in their second-half performance, particularly the production from Jackson.

Carter was asked how good St. Mary’s can be when Jackson plays that well.

“I don’t know how high the ceiling is,” Carter said, “but it’s pretty high with Garrett playing like that.”

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